German words expats should know: Schmetterling

Over a decade ago, a YouTube video inflated the importance of the word “Schmetterling” in the German language and turned it into a meme. We explain why the German word for butterfly isn’t as aggressive as you might think.

Schmetterling meaning in English

The word “Schmetterling” means “butterfly” in English and was a relatively innocuous piece of vocabulary for those taking German courses until January 11, 2014.

It was on this day that the YouTube user "sri ad" uploaded a video titled “German Language Compared to other Languages”, in which various stereotypical French, English, Italian, Mexican and German-speaking characters recite random words in their respective languages. 

The French, English, Italian and Mexican words are spoken softly, while their German equivalents are shouted to exaggerate their harshness. For some reason, of all the words recited in the video, “Schmetterling” made the biggest impression on the internet, and it is still used today to drive home the irresistible stereotype of German as an aggressive language.

Etymology of der Schmetterling

Of course, the German Schmetterling is so much more than the meme that made it internationally infamous. Rooted in the Slavic for “cream”, “smetana”, the Schmetterling is a diminutive “cream-ling”, as opposed to the “butter” of its similarly dairy-based, English-speaking cousin.

There are various theories as to where the "butter" or "cream" part comes from. The most commonly-cited one is that there was an old folk belief that butterflies were witches disguised as insects to steal cream and other dairy products. 

Der Schmetterling can be just as gentle and elegant as the butterfly. Did you know that they can taste with their feet? And there are more than 170,000 known varieties? Hear how the Germans really pronounce Schmetterling, and learn more facts about the glorious insect in the video below!